TIM ZAINER'S
NEWLY-RELEASED
PINOT NOIR TASTING
November 14, 2001
The Vino Fino Tasters took a look at some West Coast Pinot Noirs of recent
vintage. A number of 2000 vintage wines are hitting the market, while some
wineries are just now releasing their 1999s.
We selected a range of wines in the "everyday" to "moderately
affordable" price categories.
The wines finished with three wines ahead of the pack and two wines at the
bottom of the heap. Three wines were numerically tied in the middle!
Here's what we tasted:
| The
Wines |
Gerald's
Ranking |
GROUP
VERDICT |
Total
Points |
1sts/2nds/
Lasts |
ACACIA
2000 Carneros
$19.99
|
3 |
2 |
33 |
2/5/0 |
ARCHERY
SUMMIT
1999 Oregon
$34.99
Premiere Cuvee |
6 |
8 |
62 |
1/0/1 |
DAVID
BRUCE
2000
Central Coast
$17.99 |
4 |
3 |
34 |
3/2/0 |
FETZER
Five Rivers Ranch
2000 Santa Maria
$10.89 |
8 |
4 |
58 |
1/1/3 |
NALLE
1999
Russian River Valley
$35 |
5 |
6 |
58 |
0/0/2 |
OLIVET
LANE
1999 Russian River Valley
$19.99 |
2 |
7 |
61 |
0/2/2 |
SAINTSBURY
2000 Carneros
$21.49 |
7 |
5 |
58 |
1/0/3 |
TESTAROSSA
2000
Monterey
$31.99
Palazzio |
1 |
1 |
32 |
3/1/0 |
8th Place: ARCHERY SUMMIT 1999 Oregon
"Premiere Cuve"
Evaluated in alphabetical order, this wine benefited from the
contrasting fragrances between it and its neighbor, the David Bruce.
Examined in that context, the Archery Summit wine displayed a floral and almost
blackberry-like fruit with plenty of sweet oak. On the palate there are
elements reminiscent of anise or black licorice, along with the blackberry
fruit. Three to five years of cellaring should enhance and soften this
wine. Half to one star rating (3 star scale, zero being "standard
quality" or average).
7th
Place: OLIVET LANE 1999 Russian River Valley
I had this noted as being especially typical of good Pinot Noir, showing
hints of forest-floor aromas, root-like notes and some sweet oak. The same
features are replayed on the palate, with lots of berry and cherry notes and
mild tannins. Three to six years of cellaring are warranted here.
One star+.
6th Place: NALLE 1999 Russian River Valley
Some woodsy notes are the primary fragrances, followed by a hint of a
vegetal, herbal streak. The wine is complete on the palate, displaying the
same herb and woodsy notes with a little bit of tannin. Nice fruit, framed
neatly by a touch of wood. One-half to one star.
5th Place: SAINTSBURY 2000 Carneros
Lots of fruit notes here, this is a punch-bowl of ripe, sweet cherry
fruit with a bit of candied orange. The flavors are similar with mild
tannins and plenty of fruit. A touch of oak adds a nice note.
Good. One-half star.
4th Place: FETZER "FIVE RIVERS RANCH" 2000 Santa Maria
Here's a good example of someone attempting to grow Pinot Noir for a
budget-priced bottling. The wine has a simple cherry fruit note and oak is
not a major part of the theme here. I felt the wine was watery and thin,
the vines having been pushed for production at the expense of quality.
3rd Place: DAVID BRUCE 2000 Central Coast
Ripe, sweet red fruits with a moderate vanillin note and plenty of oak
on the nose. This is probably the best "Central Coast" bottling
issued by this winery. This is their "entry level" bottling of
Pinot Noir. The flavors are woodsy and nicely oaked...I wondered if the
wood is American? One star.
2nd Place: ACACIA 2000 Carneros
Lots of berry and cherry fragrances with an appropriate amount of sweet
oak on the nose. There's a smoky element, as well. The same notes
are featured on the palate, making for a very nice wine. One-and-a-half
stars.
1st Place: TESTAROSSA 2000 Monterey "Palazzio"
Light cherry fruit aromas combine with a slightly "root-like"
element and sweet French oak to create a very complex nose. There are some
smoky notes on the palate with a touch of anise and cherry fruit. This is
thoroughly delicious now and ought to remain in good condition for several
years. Two stars+.
Mr. Zainer shared a post-tasting bottle:
1975 J.W. Morris Port Works' "Port"
VINO FINO TASTING ARCHIVE
2007 RUSSIAN RIVER PINOT NOIRS February 2010
A
RANGE OF FRENCH CHABLIS WINES January 2010
HOLIDAY DINNER
& WINE MARATHON December 2009
ROSÉ
SPARKLING WINES November 2009
ARGENTINEAN
MALBECS October 2009
WEST
COAST CHARDONNAYS September 2009
GREEK
RED WINES August 2009
2005
BUDGET BORDEAUX July 2009
CAMPANIAN
WHITE WINES June 2009
MIXED
BAG OF CALIFORNIA PINOT NOIRS April 2009
RIOJA
WINES, MOSTLY FROM THE 2004 VINTAGE March 2009
NORTH
COAST PETITE SIRAHS February 2009
SYRAH
& PETITE SIRAH COMPARISON January 2009
A
VINO FINO CHRISTMAS December 2008
MOSTLY
2005s: NAPA CABERNETS November 2008
SONOMA
COUNTY PINOT NOIRS October 2008
SANTA
RITA HILLS -2006 VINTAGE- PINOT NOIRS SEPTEMBER 2008
NEWLY
RELEASED ZINFANDELS August 2008
WHITE
RHÔNE VALLEY WINES JULY 2008
LOIRE
VALLEY SAUVIGNONS JUNE 2008
FRENCH
CHABLIS 2005-2006 MAY 2008
NORTHERN
RHÔNE SYRAHS APRIL 2008
SANTA
CRUZ MOUNTAINS PINOT NOIRS January 2008
ANNUAL
HOLIDAY CHRISTMAS DINNER December 2007
WEST
COAST CHARDONNAYS November 2007
AUSTRALIAN
SHIRAZ October 2007
SPANISH
TEMPRANILLO WINES September 2007
SONOMA'S
2005 VINTAGE ZINFANDELS August 2007
CURRENT
RELEASE (2004-2005) ZINFANDELS July 2007
ROS
WINES FROM ALL OVER June 2007
ITALIAN
LAGREIN WINES May 2007
ARGENTINEAN
MALBECS April 2007
SOUTHERN
HEMISPHERE PINOT NOIRS March 2007
MOSTLY
2004 CABERNETS February 2007
CRU
BEAUJOLAIS January 2007
A VINO
FINO CHRISTMAS December 2006
CALIFORNIA
ZINFANDELS November 2006
PINOT
NOIRS of VALUE-PRICING October 2006
WORLD
OF SYRAHS TASTING September 2006
AUSSIE
CABERNET-SHIRAZ BLENDS August 2006
ALEXANDER
VALLEY (California) and MARGARET RIVER (Australia) CABERNETS July
2006
CALIFORNIA
PETITE SIRAHS June 2006
2004
NORTH COAST PINOTS and a FRENCH INTRUDER May 2006
AGLIANICO
: BASILICATA & CAMPANIA'S MAJOR RED WINE April 2006
NERO
D'AVOLA - A TASTE OF SICILIA March 2006
UNDER THE
VINO FINO RADAR ZINFANDELS January 2006
HOLIDAY WINE
TASTING & DINNER December 2005
BUBBLIES FROM AROUND
THE WORLD November 2005
NORTH
COAST PINOT NOIRS October 2005
STATE
OF CONFUSION CABERNETS September 2005
TIM
ZAINER'S SIDEWAYS LOOK AT MERLOTS August 2005
LOIRE VALLEY CABERNET
FRANCS June 2005
CALIFORNIA
SYRAHS March 2005
2002
CALIFORNIA CABERNETS February 2005
VINO
FINO HOLIDAY WINE MARATHON December 2004
CHARDONNAYS
OF MODEST PRICE November 2004
SPANISH
TEMPRANILLO October 2004
2002
CENTRAL COAST PINOT NOIRS September 2004
AUSSIE
SHIRAZ-CABERNET BLENDS August 2004
GEWRZTRAMINERS
FROM ALSACE July 2004
2001
SOUTHERN RHNES (7 Chteauneufs & a Vacqueyras) June 2004
AGLIANICO
WINES FROM CAMPANIA & BASILICATA May 2004
MONTEPULCIANO
WINES FROM THE ABRUZZO & MARCHE REGIONS April 2004
SONOMA
ZINFANDELS February 2004
1997
BRUNELLO DI MONTALCINO January 2004
VINO
FINO HOLIDAY BACCHANALIA 2003
2001
CTES du RHNES September 17, 2003
2000
OREGON PINOT NOIRS August 20, 2003
WEST
COAST SYRAHS July 16, 2003
2000
Bordeaux June 18, 2003
2000
CALIFORNIA CABERNETS May 21, 2003
OFF
THE BEATEN PATH SYRAHS APRIL 16, 2003
2002 NEW ZEALAND
SAUVIGNON BLANCS March 19, 2003
1999
California CABERNETS February 19, 2003
VINO
FINO HOLIDAY BACCHANALIA December 4, 2002
AUSTRALIAN
SHIRAZ August 21, 2002
CHAMPAGNES
& SPARKLERS July 17, 2002
Interesting
Paired CHARDONNAYS
May 15, 2002
2001
Southern Hemisphere SAUVIGNON BLANCS Feb. 20, 2002
1999 ZINFANDELS January 16, 2002
HOLIDAY
SEASON BACCHANALIA
December 5, 2001
1999-2000
New PINOT NOIRS November 14, 2001
1999
CALIFORNIA ZINFANDELS October 17, 2001
1998
CALIFORNIA CABERNETS September 19, 2001
1999
LANGUEDOC REDS August 15, 2001
1997
SAUTERNES July 18, 2001
Mostly
1998 NEBBIOLO June 20, 2001
1999 PINOT NOIRS May
16, 2001
1996
SAINT-MILION Tasting April 18, 2001
CARNEROS
CHARDONNAYS March 21, 2001
1984-1985
NAPA CABERNETS/John Vignau Memorial Tasting October 20, 2000
1997
CALIFORNIA CABERNETS September 20, 2000
1998 CALIFORNIA
CHARDONNAYS August 16, 2000
WINES
FROM THE SOUTHERN HEMISPHERE: CLARETS June 21, 2000
WINES
FROM UNDER THE TUSCAN (and Umbrian) SUN Aprile 19, 2000
1997 BORDEAUX: MEDOC May 17,
2000
